Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of organ transplant and the issues associated with transplant rejection. Anti-body-mediated rejection (AMR) is associated with a poor transplant outcome. Pathogenic alloantibodies are usually directed against human leucocyte antigens (HLAs). However, evidence of AMR in the absence of anti-HLA antibodies suggests the presence of non-anti-HLA antibodies, identified as anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECAs). The inventors have demonstrated that kidney recipients who experienced acute rejection with microvascular inflammation within the first 3 months after transplantation in the absence of anti-HLA donor-specific antibodies, carried, before transplantation, unknown AECAs in their sera that specifically targeted the glomerular microvascular endothelium. Thus, the present invention relates to in vitro methods and kits for determining the likelihood of occurrence of an acute microvascular rejection (AMVR) against a renal allograft in an individual.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel alternative splice transcripts (AST) for MICA (MHC class I related chain alpha) encoding novel MICA protein isoforms and uses thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to an isolated polypeptide at least 80% of identity with a sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1 (MICA-A), SEQ ID NO:2 (MICA-B1), SEQ ID NO:3 (MICA-B2); SEQ ID NO:4 (MICA-C) and SEQ ID NO: (MICA-D).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining whether a cytomegalovirus infection in a transplanted patient is susceptible to induce allograft rejection comprising detecting the presence of at least one HLA-E-restricted CD8 ?? T cell population displaying reactivity against peptides derived from the leader sequences of both HCMV-UL40 protein and allogeneic classical HLA-I molecules in a blood sample of the patient, wherein the presence of said populations indicated that the cytomegalovirus infection in the transplant patient is susceptible to induce allograft rejection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a purified soluble HLA-E molecule, characterized in that: it is a monomeric protein, it presents a sequence identity of at least 80% with membrane-bound HLA-E (SEQ ID NO: 1), it has a molecular weight from about 36 kDa to about 42 kDa, it binds to the CD94/NKG2A receptor.